Like I mentioned on this Monday & last Monday, last week I took an internet break. Or attempted to. My goal was to do internet for only 30 minutes in the morning and 30 at night, which I surpassed by ridiculous amounts. But my overall internet usage was much lower than normal and it made me think about the ways I use the internet, how it affects me, and how I should plan my internet usage from here on out, knowing those things.
My head is kind of a noisy place, most of the time. And the internet only augments that. I think it’s something about having access to so many viewpoints, often opposing, at the same time, combined with multitasking. All I know is that when I’m on the internet too much (I still haven’t figured out what, in hours, “too much” is, but I know it when I’ve hit it), it feels like there’s constant static in my head.
Unlike some people, I think the internet is more good than bad. I generally feel it’s an amazing tool, I just need to figure out how to successfully moderate my usage. Chocolate is awesome, but you’d get sick eating it every meal, every day.
Here’s my new plan:
- At least every other day, only use the internet in the mornings and in the evenings, as far as “social web” is concerned (like, writing or working on the comic is all right, tumblr/twitter/Google reader is not).
- No internet at night before bed! I think I’m going to start trying to get off every night at or before nine or ten o’clock. Matt & I are trying to get up earlier and it’s so easy to while away a few hours at night on the internet – and suddenly it’s one in the morning.
- No getting on the internet very first thing in the morning. Do yoga, if not up for doing yoga that morning, at least sit and meditate for a few minutes, then eat breakfast, then the laptop can be opened.
Although not 100% internet-related, I’m also trying to do less multitasking. I’m a natural multitasker, but there’s a certain point where it gets a little ridiculous and just leads to distraction. I want to purposefully make space for activities not focused around the computer – mostly, reading books. I’ve got a mile-high stack of library + borrowed books right now, all calling my name, and after those, I can get more. In fact, between Amazon and interlibrary loan, I’m pretty sure I could probably disappear reading for years at a time. Mindfulness is another thing I’d like to work on – I tend to be a bit spacey sometimes when it comes to things like eating. I’d like to be a little more grounded and a little less on autopilot.
Is there a particular internet schedule you stick to? How’s that work out for you?
